Zurich, Switzerland, September 8, 2009: AutoForm Engineering GmbH, the leading supplier of software solutions for the sheet metal forming industry, has developed a new software module which enables the rapid and transparent definition of cost-optimized process plans. AutoForm plus R1 users can rapidly evaluate different process alternatives and gain insight into related costs.

The current economic situation is forcing the fast-to-market production of quality parts at a low total cost. AutoForm’s new and unique approach to define cost-optimized process plans meets this requirement. It ideally replaces the conventional approach by which process plans are determined based on experience and subjective judgments. Users can now systematically evaluate multiple process alternatives and rapidly identify a cost-optimized process plan. The immediate benefits for AutoForm plus R1 users are:

·          Rapid generation of multiple process alternatives

·          Rapid relative cost evaluation for process plans

·          Minimization of material costs

·          Easy and rapid creation of reports for comprehensible internal and external communication

·          Easy and rapid downstream use of process plans for the development of die faces in AutoForm-DieDesigner and process validation in AutoForm-Incremental plus

Dr. Markus Thomma, Corporate Marketing Director of AutoForm Engineering, stated: “Different production concepts for the manufacture of a particular part lead to different costs and quality levels. The newly developed process plan module in AutoForm plus R1 enables our users to rapidly evaluate different process alternatives and gain insight into related costs. As a result, users can define a cost-optimized process plan which ensures the production of quality parts at a low total cost.”

About AutoForm Engineering GmbH

AutoForm offers software solutions for the die-making and sheet metal forming industries along the entire process chain. With over 200 employees, AutoForm is recognized as the leading provider of software for product manufacturability, tool and material cost calculation, die face design and virtual process optimization. All of the Top 20 automotive OEMs and most of their suppliers have selected AutoForm as their software of choice. Besides its headquarters in Zurich, AutoForm has offices in Germany, The Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, USA, Mexico, India, China, Japan and Korea. AutoForm is also present through its agents in more than 15 other countries. For detailed information please visit: www.autoform.com